The Bible and Depression Bible Study
Week 11 - Paul Teaches Restoration
Brief Review
In Step 3 we looked at a prophecy in Isaiah 61:1-3 about Jesus Christ. We saw that Jesus was anointed by God to bring the garment of praise for relief from the spirit of heaviness.
In Steps 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10 we studied the Biblical record of depression of Elijah, Job, Hannah, David, Jonah, Moses, Jeremiah and Naomi. All were restored by the Lord.
Depression – A Study of the Apostle Paul – Chosen Vessel to bring the good news to Gentiles
The Apostle Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles, the Lord’s chosen vessel, from Acts 9:3-5 and Acts 10-17.
3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
He was also told that he would suffer:
“16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.”
Romans 11:13, tells us:
“13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:“
He was God's chosen vessel to whom was given all the information related to the Body of Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
There are many passages where we see the great things Paul accomplished during his entire ministry. It is therefore hard to picture this great man of God having problems dealing with certain situations and experiencing feelings of depression. But the Apostle Paul did suffer from depression.
Apostle Paul in Depression and Isolation
One example is in 2 Corinthians. Let’s look at a glimpse of the Apostle Paul’s life in 2 Corinthians 1:4-8
8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
Here is the Apostle Paul describing the symptoms of the spirit of heaviness. The last phrase in this passage is very telling:
When Paul writes “we despaired even of life,” that word despaired connotes “to be utterly at a loss, that is, despondent: (in) despair” according to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. One Greek lexicon adds this about the term: “to be utterly at loss, be utterly destitute of measures or resources, to renounce all hope, be in despair
We see Paul struggling emotionally when he is talking about Titus, a brother very dear to him. Paul had expected Titus to be there waiting for him when he returned to Troas 2 Corinthians 2:12-13:
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach
Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I went from thence into Macedonia.
Restoration of Apostle Paul and its message to us
Paul experienced no rest in his spirit. His immediate response was to avoid being around others who were there and leave. He goes to another area (Macedonia) and tries to rest there, but was not comforted until the coming of Titus 2 Corinthians 7:5-7.
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Of course the chosen vessel to bring the revelation of Jesus Christ to the gentiles was Restored. And his Restoration was and is a lesson and message to us.
2 Corinthians 1:4-7
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
In verse 4, the Apostle Paul gives the solution to all Spiritual depression caused by the spirit of heaviness.
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
The Lord comforts us. The Lord uses us to teach, to witness from our own experience. Here we see the Apostle Paul, teaching us the cure for depression, affliction and tribulation, then giving an example of his experience.
Put your Faith in the Lord.
